30 Naxals, including 9 women, surrender in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur

THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK

Bijapur, Aug 28: A major breakthrough has been reported from Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh, where 30 Naxals surrendered on Wednesday. Police confirmed that among them, 20 carried bounty totalling around ₹79 lakh.

The group also included nine women. Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav stated that all of them surrendered in the presence of senior police officers and CRPF officials.

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Key Naxals Among Those Who Surrendered

According to police, one of the prominent cadres who laid down arms was Sonu Hemla alias Koroti (38), a divisional committee member and in-charge of the Maoists’ KK sub-divisional bureau. Active since 2003, he carried a reward of ₹8 lakh. His wife, Sukri Gawde, who also surrendered, carried a reward of ₹2 lakh.

Other high-ranking members included two Platoon Party Committee members, Kallu Punem and Kosi Kunjam, along with party members Moti Punem and Pandey Punem. PLGA (People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army) cadre Chhotu Kunjam was also among those who surrendered. Each of them carried rewards of ₹8 lakh.

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Two others carried rewards of ₹5 lakh each, while nine had bounties of ₹2 lakh each. Another two were wanted with rewards of ₹50,000 each.

Rising Number of Surrenders in Bijapur

With this development, the total number of Naxals who have surrendered in Bijapur since January has reached 307.

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SP Yadav stated that the Naxals were disillusioned with the hollow Maoist ideology, atrocities on tribals, and internal conflicts within the organization. They were also motivated by the state government’s Niyad Nellanar (Apka Achha Gaon) scheme and the new surrender and rehabilitation policy.

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Each surrendered cadre has been provided an immediate assistance of ₹50,000, officials confirmed.